The anticipation of the first race of the season is palpable! As a dedicated racer, the track withdrawals are real, and I’m grateful to still afford the thrill of racing at an amateur level. The season opener is the closest track to me, and the one-hour drive amplifies the excitement. Loading up my race car on Friday, I headed to MSRH, joining the Honda Challenge crew and catching up with fellow racer friends.
Dai’s recent purchase of an RV as his new tow rig, post-selling his Ford Tremor, brought about some good-natured banter about our contrasting camping styles. My Land Cruiser, embodying an “apartment,” pales in comparison to the RV, which Dai affectionately likens to a “mansion.”
The introduction of the new super touring class has benefited my setup from last year. Nearly maxed out at 110hp with a minimum competition weight of 2200lbs, my 2250lb weight on the scales positions me well. Competitors in my class boast 20 more horsepower but carry an additional 200lbs. I’ve always favored the power-to-weight ratio, believing that more power makes for an easier drive than a lighter car, which demands pushing to the limit.
Amidst a sea of Miatas, my lone 86 stands out, ready to prove its mettle despite its 80s tech and handling limitations. Despite a week of rain leading up to Friday, race day graced us with dry weather, although the track surface remained slippery due to washed-out rubber.
Upon reaching the track, unloading my 86 and passing the annual tech inspection by a NASA official ensured safety compliance. Following the inspection, a delightful Korean BBQ dinner with racing friends celebrated John’s birthday, a perfect prelude to the upcoming race day.
The dawn of race day saw me up at 7 am for the instructor meeting, but a missing student afforded me more time to prepare for practice.
Despite the slower initial session, tire adjustments didn’t improve my pace during qualification, leading to an unfortunate spin on cold tires. Obviously placing last.
Race 1 had its moments, with a strong start marred by a hot pursuit that ended in a 360 drift, eliminating my chances for a podium finish.
https://youtu.be/nFjUh_LvnCI?si=vy1EigRSLsjkfbGw
Race 2 proved more challenging, with a botched start due to paddock confusion. Playing catch-up, my cold tires made it difficult to maintain the pace, resulting in a last-place finish. Despite the disappointment, my 86 emerged unscathed, a silver lining that earned me valuable points in the series. Some other racers wasn’t so lucky suffering mechanical or body damage.
https://youtu.be/J33Aofn2LMY?si=1jIKbuAUJJCMPrNb
Work commitments kept me from Race 3, a night of celebration and making memories with friends eased the disappointment. A slight hangover at work the next day was nothing a couple of tablets of Tylenol couldn’t remedy.
The focus now shifts to the next race at Cresson, where I’ve made sure to secure time off, eager to tackle the challenges that lie ahead.
Natsukashi Garage 